Dice-cup.



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Witgesses:

Patented Sept. 23,1902. H. L. HASKELL' DICE CUP.

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(Application filed Apr. 3, 1900 1 (No Model.)

Vii 112685881 UNITED Sane,

Parana tries.

HENRY L. HASKELL, OF LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN.

DICE -CUP.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 709,683, dated September 23, 1902..

Application filed April 3, 1900. Serial No. 11.397. (No model.)

T at whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY L. HASKELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at the village of Ludington, in the county of Mason and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dice-Cups, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in dice cups or boxes.

The invention relates particularly to a collapsible dice-cup which shall fold into a thin space, so that it can be readily put into the thin boxes in which game-boards are conveniently stored or shipped or so that it may be conveniently carried in the pocket.

It has been found that the bulk of dice cups or boxes has been a serious drawback to the manufacture and sale of game-boards requiring the use of dice.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and practical collapsible dice-cup.

I accomplish the object of my invention by the devices and means described in this specification.

The invention is clearly defined and point- 1 ed out in the claim.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,forminga part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a detail perspective view of a dice-cup embodying the features of my invention, a portion of the walls being broken away. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective View of the dice cup or box folded, a portion of the side or walls being broken away to show the position of the bottom when the box is folded. Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional View showing the bottom and also indicating bydotted lines the position assumed by the bottom when the cup is collapsed. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of a modification of my improved dice-cup in which the cylindrical form is exemplified, one of the walls being broken away. Fig. 5 is a view of the dice-cup appearing in Fig. 4; when it is collapsed, the dotted lines indicating the position assumed by the bottom. Fig. 6 is a view indicating the polygonal form, one of the walls being broken away. Fig. 7 is a View of the same collapsed, the position of the bottom being indicated by dotted lines.

In the drawings similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A represents the walls of a dice-cup, preferably four in number, which are connected together at the corners by a flexible covering, so that they can fold upon each other, the sides being made of cardboard, pasteboard, or other suitable stiffening material. The covering is preferably of cloth for the cheaper forms and of leather for the more expensive cups. Within the cup and to the wall at one side is connected the bottom 0 by a suitable hinge C, made, preferably, of the covering material of the piece of cardboard or stiffening forming the bottom. Opposite the hinge the corners of the cup are notched at B at the same height as the hinge, so that the corners may project through slightly at this point and be retained from further downward movement. When the side walls are distended and the bottom forced into position, it fits sufficiently snug as to be retained in that position by friction and hold the side walls in the distended position, thus forming a very satisfactory dice-cup, as shown. I desire to remark that it is found most expedient to form the hinges between these parts by extending the flexible covering material. I am aware, however, that the hinging might be otherwise accomplished. I also desire to remark that the number of sides to the cup can be varied by making the bottom to properly conform to the same and hinging it to one of the sides within, merely allowing it to fold into position between the others. I illustrate two of these modified forms in Figs. 4 and 6, a cylindrical form being shown, the walls A being sufficiently flexible to be bent into the outline of a cylinder, and the bottom, being circular in form, fits between the same when folded downwardly and holds the box in position. In Fig. 6 a hexagonal or other polygonal form is illustrated. I prefer to construct the dice-cup in the square form, because that is probably the simplest form in which it can be manufactured and is a form in which no material strain comes upon the material in use. The notches at B are most elfective for stops to retain the bottom in position when the cup is opened; but they are not an absolute necessity, and other stops or means might be provided in their places.

Having-thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a dice cup or box, the combination of the side walls A, suitably hinged. together, two of the adjacent corners being notched as at B; a bottom 0 of a size and shape to closely fit the interior of said box, hinged to the inner wall opposite the said notched corners,

and adapted to fold downwardly against the said notches, and retain the walls in position when the box is distended and to fold against the side to permit the box to collapse, all coacting substantially as described and for the purpose specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the'presence of two witnesses.

HENRY L. HASKELL. [n s.] i

Witnesses:

GEO. N. STRAY, W. H. STRAY. 

